We need to talk about the “Hey Hun” DMs.
If you are looking for extra income, you have probably received one. A friendly message from an old high school acquaintance or a stranger on Instagram, inviting you to “be your own boss” and “join their team.”
They promise financial freedom, sisterhood, and the ability to earn a full-time income from your phone.
It sounds perfect. It sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
But we do not list Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies on DIYSideHustles.com.
We don’t list them because our mission is to help you make money, and the mathematical reality of MLMs is that they are designed to make you lose it.
The Heartbreaking Statistic
According to a report published on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website, 99% of people who join an MLM lose money.
Read that again. Not “make a little bit.” Lose.
That means you have statistically better odds of making money by taking your startup capital to a roulette table in Las Vegas than you do by buying a “Starter Kit” for a network marketing company.
The Difference Between a Side Hustle and a Scheme
At DIY SideHustles, we define a legitimate side hustle by a simple formula:
You have a skill + You find a client = You get paid.
If you are a Virtual Bookkeeper, you organize receipts, and the business owner pays you. If you are a Laundry Service, you wash clothes, and the neighbor pays you.
In an MLM, the formula is twisted:
You pay a fee + You buy inventory + You recruit friends to do the same = The company gets paid.
In a legitimate business, you are the provider. In an MLM, you are the customer.
3 Red Flags to Watch Out For
If you are evaluating an opportunity and aren’t sure if it’s a scam, check for these three warning signs:
1. You have to “Pay to Play” Legitimate jobs pay you. While some side hustles require buying tools (like a lawnmower or a laptop), you should never have to pay an “initiation fee” or buy a monthly quota of products just to remain eligible to work.
2. Recruiting is more important than selling If the person trying to sign you up spends more time talking about “building a team” and “passive income” than the actual quality of the shampoo/leggings/shakes they are selling, run. Legitimate businesses focus on customers, not recruits.
3. The “Fake It Till You Make It” Pressure MLMs often encourage you to post photos implying a lavish lifestyle to attract recruits, even if you are in debt. Real side hustles—like User Testing or Transcription—don’t require you to perform a lifestyle; they just require you to do the work.
You Don’t Need a Downline. You Need a Plan.
The reason MLMs are so effective at recruiting is that they target a very real pain: people are lonely, broke, and want flexibility.
But you don’t need to join a pyramid to get that.
You can build a business that you actually own. You can profit from the very first dollar you earn. You can be a Pinterest Manager, a Notary Public, or a Local Meal Prepper.
It might not come with a pre-packaged “sisterhood,” but it comes with something better: Profit.
If you are ready to build something real, check out our database of over 200 vetted, non-MLM opportunities on The List.